Virtual Reality- Based Running Exposure To Target The Acute Urge To Be Physically Active In Anorexia Nervosa: A Case Series.

IF 2.3 4区 心理学 Q3 NEUROSCIENCES
Margherita Boltri, Giulia Brizzi, Federico Brusa, Carolina Gabutti, Giulia Cera, Alberto Scalia, Francesca Manzo, Emanuela Apicella, Gianluca Castelnuovo, Giuseppe Riva, Leonardo Mendolicchio
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a severe and complex eating disorder, whose incidence has increased following the Covid 19 pandemic, straining specialized healthcare systems worldwide. Although patients often resort to compulsive exercise as a means of weight control, prolonged fasting intensifies the urge to move, leading to increased motor restlessness. Despite progress in understanding AN, interventions often overlook the crucial role that the urge to be physically active plays in reinforcing the eating disorder itself. This case series tested the feasibility of a Virtual Reality-based Running Exposure (VR-RE) protocol to target the acute urge to be physically active in inpatients with severe AN undergoing rehabilitation.

Case presentations: Three female inpatients with severe AN (Body Mass Index ≤ 15 kg/m2), aged 21, 23 and 26, participated in a 4-week VR-RE protocol, involving four sessions of simulated jogging in a VR environment. Pre- and post-intervention assessments evaluated eating disorder symptoms and traits characteristics, such as compulsive exercise and physical activity addiction. Although treatment outcomes were only partially achieved and there was little change observed in clinical parameters such as weight and body-mass index, reductions in the acute urge to move were observed for all after each VR session. Additionally, reliable and clinically relevant changes were observed in drive for thinness, body- image dissatisfaction, interoceptive deficits and emotional regulation. Two patients also reported a decrease in both trait- and addictive physical activity at the end of the protocol and rehabilitation program. Qualitative feedback revealed perceived synchronization with the avatar and endorsed the protocol's potential for outpatient settings. No cybersickness was reported.

Conclusion: This study presents a structured VR-based protocol targeting the acute urge to be physically active in severe AN, integrated into a rehabilitation setting. Future research with longer, personalized, and controlled trials is needed to validate its clinical utility.

基于虚拟现实的跑步暴露目标是在神经性厌食症中进行身体活动的急性冲动:一个案例系列。
神经性厌食症(AN)是一种严重而复杂的饮食失调症,其发病率在2019冠状病毒病大流行后有所增加,给世界各地的专业医疗系统带来了压力。虽然患者经常通过强迫运动来控制体重,但长时间禁食会加剧运动的冲动,导致运动不安的增加。尽管在理解AN方面取得了进展,但干预措施往往忽视了运动的冲动在强化饮食失调本身方面所起的关键作用。本病例系列测试了基于虚拟现实的跑步暴露(VR-RE)方案的可行性,该方案针对正在接受康复治疗的严重AN住院患者的急性身体活动冲动。病例介绍:三名年龄分别为21岁、23岁和26岁的严重AN(体重指数≤15 kg/m2)住院女性患者参加了为期4周的VR- re方案,包括在VR环境中进行4次模拟慢跑。干预前和干预后的评估评估了饮食失调的症状和特征,如强迫性运动和体育活动成瘾。尽管治疗结果仅部分实现,临床参数(如体重和身体质量指数)几乎没有变化,但每次虚拟现实治疗后,所有人的急性运动冲动都有所减少。此外,在瘦的驱动,身体形象不满,内感受缺陷和情绪调节方面观察到可靠和临床相关的变化。在治疗方案和康复计划结束时,两名患者还报告了特质性和成瘾性身体活动的减少。定性反馈揭示了与化身的感知同步,并认可了该协议在门诊设置中的潜力。没有晕屏的报道。结论:本研究提出了一种结构化的基于vr的方案,针对严重AN患者的急性身体活动冲动,并与康复环境相结合。未来的研究需要更长时间、个性化和对照试验来验证其临床应用。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Neuropsychobiology
Neuropsychobiology 医学-精神病学
CiteScore
7.20
自引率
0.00%
发文量
26
审稿时长
6 months
期刊介绍: The biological approach to mental disorders continues to yield innovative findings of clinical importance, particularly if methodologies are combined. This journal collects high quality empirical studies from various experimental and clinical approaches in the fields of Biological Psychiatry, Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology. It features original, clinical and basic research in the fields of neurophysiology and functional imaging, neuropharmacology and neurochemistry, neuroendocrinology and neuroimmunology, genetics and their relationships with normal psychology and psychopathology. In addition, the reader will find studies on animal models of mental disorders and therapeutic interventions, and pharmacoelectroencephalographic studies. Regular reviews report new methodologic approaches, and selected case reports provide hints for future research. ''Neuropsychobiology'' is a complete record of strategies and methodologies employed to study the biological basis of mental functions including their interactions with psychological and social factors.
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